第２２３掘：身内報告と会議 (Part3)
"That’s right. Although it’s written in the documents, the demi-humans are using the fact that they repelled the Zilba Empire to gather their kin from all over. I don’t know the details, but seeing as the numbers keep increasing, it feels like the forest has become a highway for them."
"So, it really is the case that demi-humans are living inside the forest?"
"Exactly. The demi-human village we’re in is sandwiched between Zilba and Enaria. Geographically, they wouldn't be crossing the wilderness; it’s too easy to be attacked by humans, and their movements would be discovered. That’s why they’re likely gathering from the mountain forest zone that stretches across the north of Zilba and Enaria. As for the headcount, there are nearly 5,000 of them now. I don’t know if that’s considered a lot, but for the time being, they’re desperately trying to expand the place—it’s a village, or rather, a town now in terms of population—so they can live there. They seem to be preparing for war, but with this ceasefire, they should be safe as long as they don't initiate anything."
"I see. How are things with Mauve and the others?"
"Hmm, the glares are still pretty sharp. Especially from the newcomers who didn't see the battle with Zilba; they often try to pick fights. But since we just toss them aside easily and the village chief and the villagers give them a thorough scolding, things are stable for now. Well, we’re also supplying them with goods from Weed, so they can’t exactly act too tough, either."
"The 'bomb' situation is the same as ever. We need to negotiate that as well. I’ve briefly mentioned it to Zilba, but I have to talk to Enaria, too. 5,000 demi-humans are more of a threat than a small army, so keeping quiet about it is problematic."
It’s not a problem right now, but it’s not something I can keep putting off. If we don’t move forward with this in line with the Zilba-Enaria ceasefire, there’s a high chance we’ll get tripped up.
"Now, it’s my turn. Regarding the investigation of the Zilba Empire’s royal archives, about half is finished. I’ll be done with the rest in about three months. So far, there’s no information that could serve as a lead for mana depletion or things like holy swords and magic swords."
"I see. It’s not that simple, after all."
"Indeed. And, although you may have already received the report, for some reason I’ve ended up in charge of magic instruction, and there’s something that bothers me about that."
"What is it?"
"Well, you know that it takes roughly 20 times the mana to use magic on the New Continent, right? Despite that situation, the number of people who can cast magic is increasing under my guidance. To begin with, people at the level range of the New Continent shouldn't have 20 times the mana..."
"Hmm, in other words, does it mean that people living there have their mana consumption suppressed?"
"Presumably... one might call it environmental adaptation. If they can use magic just by me teaching them the basics, I suspect they were already capable of using magic to begin with."
"I see... Jessica, how about you?"
I ask Jessica, the only one among this group who is a native of the New Continent. Of course, she’s currently sitting on my side, flanking me along with Ria. ...Seriously, just sit normally.
"No, I’ve only ever focused on the sword, so I have no experience with magic. I never had any talent for it to begin with."
"Ah, I see. That’s a problem that predates the discussion, then. Well, try learning it from now on. Of course, if you feel any physical abnormalities, stop immediately."
"But, what should I do to learn it...? Is the recovery magic I received from Lilishe-sama not enough?"
"That was also an option."
"No, that wouldn't work. I don't think magic learned through divine protection can be used as data."
"Zargis is right. Then, I’ll teach you. I can provide follow-up, and we’re always together, anyway."
I say that to Jessica, but... there’s no reaction. Huh?
"…Training alone with Yuki. Surely, hand-in-hand."
"Hey now, Jessica. We’re in the middle of a meeting."
"Hah! Ria!? N-no, that’s not it!! I just thought it would be intense!!"
"Yes, yes. I’ll join in too, so it’ll be fine."
As she says that, sparks seem to fly between the two of them.
"Alright, I’ll go last. The combat report on the Betan and Enaria armies. Betan is providing Weed’s technology within the range that can be reproduced independently. Things that can only be produced with DP are useless, after all. Even so, it’s quite lively. Thanks to that, we, who were once enemies, are being accepted across the board. Furthermore, they’re buzzing about the 'successful' repulsion of the Enaria army."
"It’s been a while since I’ve let loose, so it felt refreshing."
"Yes, I’m just happy to be of service to my husband."
Seraria and Rurua say that with smiles, but the enemies who were blown away for the sake of stress relief had a rough time of it.
"As for the combat report, there’s not much to say. When the 80,000 reinforcements scattered, the wives went in and decimated them, just as Seraria and Rurua said. For the main force, Steve defeated the reinforcement general, causing their morale to plummet, and Mino-chan’s collapse unit negotiated with the enemy rescue force and took one of the dungeon’s magic sword users as a prisoner."
"...You say that so casually, but that’s an absurd war result."
Zargis offers a retort, but since my report isn't finished, I put off responding.
"And, regarding the 120,000 Enaria troops in the dungeon—I’ve observed them for a month, and they aren't much different from Zilba. The only thing that stands out is the magic sword user, but Steve can handle that easily enough."
"No, why am I the benchmark!? You aren't saying I should be the one to suppress them, are you!?"
"What are you talking about? On the surface, Mino-chan’s army has nothing to do with us. The general, Mino-chan, can’t exactly go as a negotiator, can he? That’s why you’re going to Enaria as the representative. Conveniently enough, you’re the one taking care of the captured magic sword user, right?"
"Hiiiieee! Enaria is going to find out I’m a pervert!? They’ll look at me just like they look at the General, with no discretion!!"
"Hey, you! Don't go around saying I have no discretion!!"
"You *do* have no discretion!! Just look at your wives!! You’ve got your pick of the lot, from big chests to small ones!! Explode, you normie!!"
"Guh... but it’s fine because there’s love involved!!"
"Ah, he’s stopped caring about appearances!! Hey, you eroge-protagonist, light-novel-harem bastard!!"
"Don't say that while shedding tears of blood!!"
"Shut up!! This is the sweat of my heart!!"
Damn, Steve has a lot of stress built up. He’s never snapped at me like this before. Still, I have to stop him so he doesn't say things like that outside. If people think I’m a 'harem bastard,' my reputation will plummet.
"Yes, yes, both of you, calm down. Steve, you grabbed a handful of breasts, so that should be enough, right?"
"Ugh!?"
"And you, you should finally accept that you’re in a harem. It’s not a bad thing, after all."
"...My pride as a Japanese man..."
"Oh, you stubborn thing. Today, all of us who are free will blow that pride away for you."
Seraria says that with a smile. The other wives’ eyes are also looking sharp. ...I have work tomorrow, too, you know.
"See, you *are* a normie!! Explode already!!"
After that, we took a short break and discussed the finer details. That concludes the first half. What remains are the matters of the Dullahan and the holy sword users. There are various things in this meeting and the second half that could serve as foreshadowing, so it might be fun to guess which one will become the spark. Or rather, maybe they’ll come in combination? The Demon Lord incident was a combined foreshadowing, after all.
Oh, and I don’t have any plots or anything. I write everything on the fly. I don’t know anything about 'plots.' I’ve written a lot, but finally:
Don’t go calling Yuki a 'harem bastard,' okay? Or saying 'it’s too late for that,' either.
See you next time.